Any Surprise position you see us taking @ 17

[supersteeler]

It looks like OLB and Safety dominated the discussions here on defense with WR on the offensive side. Do you think the Steelers are comfortable with who we have to play NT?
If I'm not mistaken I think Casey Hampton when drafted started for us his first year, this is one of the few times I seen a rookie be able to start on defense his first year.

NT might be a position overlooked by the fans. I do think we have to get stronger up front on D, so I'm wondering if the Steelers are considering that position on their boards.
What throws everything off is we have 3 players to play the position, Mclendon the projected starter, Ta'amu who is up in the air and Fangupo.

[Siggy00]

LeBeau wasn't our DC in 2001 when Casey arrived. That's why he started.

Kendrell Bell too.

[steelerkeylargo]

I think NT, RB (Lacy), and OT (Fluker) are all possibilities that would be surprises to most on this board.

[calmkiller]

I think NT, RB (Lacy), and OT (Fluker) are all possibilities that would be surprises to most on this board.

17 is to high for Lacey. I fully believe we can get him with the 49th pick.

[squidkid]

i think id be surprised and happy with a stud TE at #17.
with the uncertainty of heath's health, effective playing days left, cap number next year, loss of a wr weapon and how haley likes to TEs, i think this pick makes lots of sense

[hawaiiansteel]

ILB Arthur Brown from Kansas St might surprise some people...

[calmkiller]

We most likely go Defense this year. Since Tomlin has been here we have switched each season with our 1st round pick. D one year O the next. This year is D. I think we look at a TE later in the rounds. We have an unhealthy Heath, Spaeth, Johnson, Paulson on the roster right now along with some camp bodies. I would seriously look for a Safety this year. Reid fits the bill IMO. He is younger than Vaccaro by almost 2 years. Steelers always draft 20-21 year olds in the first round.

[calmkiller]

ILB Arthur Brown from Kansas St might surprise some people...

He would be a surprise as well. I would take him but he will be 23 before he plays a down in the NFL. Something to consider. Steelers love young first rounders. Also I think 17 is to high for him.

[flippy]

Big Picture - we need to improve 2 areas - 1. Pass Rush and 2. Red Zone efficiency/scoring. Any player that can help either is a possibility in round 1.

The best way to help a pass rush is with a stud NT. One of the biggest reasons Woodley, Harrison, Worilds couldn't get to the QB is because QBs had a huge pocket to step up into meaning our OLBs couldn't run by OTs. We had to cut the corner and go thru OTs to get to the QB cause he was often so well protected in the pocket. In his hey day, Hampton used to move the pocket back 2-3 yards with ease. Gave the OLBs a great line to get to the QB. None of the guys on the roster collapse the pocket like Casey once did. I think Fangupo is the only one with the build to possibly play like Hampton. A 1st round NT would make a tone of sense.

The second best way to help the pass rush is better coverage. That would mean a S or CB.

On the offensive side, a TE is the best mismatch on offense. I've been advocating the Steelers take a TE for years. I've been begging for a second stud TE before the 2 TE sets were en vogue in the NFL. I loved the fact BA wanted to utilize multiple TE sets. And I really thought that meant Colbert would go get us a great #2. DJ, Matt Spaeth, etc are nothing like I was thinking.

So the 3 surprise positions that I think make the most sense are NT, CB, or TE. And I've also had a suspicion the best player on the board might be a LT and I'd gladly take him if available.

We're picking so high, we need an impact player like Ben or Troy that transcends his position. Hopefully we won't be picking this high again.

[supersteeler]

i think id be surprised and happy with a stud TE at #17.
with the uncertainty of heath's health, effective playing days left, cap number next year, loss of a wr weapon and how haley likes to TEs, i think this pick makes lots of sense

Tyler Eifert for ^^^ this above?

NFL Draft 2013: Tyler Eifert could surprise as early pick in 1st roundBy Matt Conner on Mar 19 2013, 11:00a 1
Stay connected with SB Nation USA TODAY Sports
The Notre Dame tight end is clearly the cream of the rookie crop, and the way teams are paying for the position shows he might go sooner than expected.

[steelerkeylargo]

17 is to high for Lacey. I fully believe we can get him with the 49th pick.

Not a prayer of him getting past the top 25 picks.

[hawaiiansteel]

He would be a surprise as well. I would take him but he will be 23 before he plays a down in the NFL. Something to consider. Steelers love young first rounders. Also I think 17 is to high for him.

if the Steelers want him then #17 is where they most likely need to take him at because Chicago at #20 and Minnesota at #25 are reportedly very interested in Arthur Bown.

Chicago Bears: [URL="http://www.walterfootball.com/scoutingreport2013abrown.php"]Arthur Brown[/URL], LB, Kansas State

The Bears once had a strong group of linebackers, but Nick Roach just signed with the Raiders, while Brian Urlacher's 2013 status is unknown. As it stands now, Chicago is set to start J.T. Thomas and Blake Costanzo along with Lance Briggs at linebacker. That's not very promising.

Arthur Brown is getting a ton of buzz lately. There have even been some Ray Lewis comparisons. He's a stud, so he could easily carry on the Bears' linebacker tradition.

[URL]http://www.walterfootball.com/draft2013_1.php[/URL]

[Sugar]

i think id be surprised and happy with a stud TE at #17.
with the uncertainty of heath's health, effective playing days left, cap number next year, loss of a wr weapon and how haley likes to TEs, i think this pick makes lots of sense

SuperSteeler and I have also been thinking this way as well. There seem to be a lot of folks that would be really disappointed in a TE like Eifert at #17, but I also think it makes a lot of sense.

Of course, there is the point that this is the D's year to get the first round guy but you have to change some time, right?

[supersteeler]

Hey guys, this would be a nice sight to see in our red zone....[url]http://beyondthecombine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Tyler-Eifert-TE-Notre-Dame-Pic1.jpg[/url]

[SS Laser]

Not a prayer of him getting past the top 25 picks.

I will be shocked. Yes sir Richardson went high but that was the Browns.But Ingram went 28th and is not all that in the NFL. Is Lacy better then Ingram but not as good as Richardson? What pick and team do you see him going?